On Sunday evening, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray addressed the state announcing that the Lockdown like restrictions have been Extended further to 15th June, 2021.
In his address, the Chief Minister cautioned the citizens of Maharashtra of the third wave of COVID-19. He also mentioned that the government will personally check the situation in each district and accordingly, may relax the curbs for selective areas.
“I don’t know when and what date the third wave will come. So we should not let our guard down,” he said.
“In the last three-four days, the numbers matched the peak of the last wave. But one good thing is the recovery rate which is now 92 per cent. Even the Case Fatality Rate has reduced,” the Chief Minister said.
The CM said that the Covid cases of the cities have seen a decline by the rural cases have spiked. Nevertheless, he thanked the citizens who followed these restrictions which were imposed on them hastily.
Key Points of the Address:
- Districts with increasing Covid-19 cases will face stricter curbs;
- Areas with lower caseload may see relaxation in the restrictions;
- Maharashtra’s recovery rate has reached 92%;
- The death rate has lowered too;
- Around 600 testing labs are available currently;
- The state is in need of 1700 metric tonnes of Oxygen daily;
- The vaccination for 18-44 age group will begin soon;
- After there are abough vaccines, the state is planning to open Vaccination 24/7;
- The CM has had a talk with the pediatricians so has to help the state out of the expected third wave that might harm the lower age group.
RELAXATIONS and RESTRICTIONS:
- Restrictions are relaxed for Districts less than 10% positivity rate and where the occupancy of oxygen beds is less than 40%.
- Shops selling essential items will be allowed to operate from 7am – 2 pm instead of 11am.
- A decision by the local disaster management authorities will be taken for other shops.
- If allowed, must be open from 7 am to 2 pm. Home delivery of non-essential items via e-commerce has been allowed.
- Government offices will be allowed to operate at 26% capacity.
- Borders of Districts more than 20% positivity rate or where occupancy of oxygen beds is over 75% will be sealed and no movement into or from the district will be allowed.
- Only the valid reason of death or medial emergencies or duty in essential services will be allowed to enter or leave the District.
With this, the CM also spoke of the Board exams and said that the Class 10 exams have been surely cancelled, but the Centre is yet to decide on the Class 12 exams, which may be conducted.
CM Thackeray also praised the Management and Public who handled the Tauktae Cyclone so well and said that the Palghar and Kokan belt must be helped by taking some permanent measures for these cyclones.
“Compensation has been announced for the worst affected areas by the Cyclone,” the CM said.
